Congressman Shomari Figures’ new bill aims to give a tax break to families who pay for their children to participate in sports, arts programs or tutoring.
The Affordable Youth Enrichment Opportunities Act, introduced Wednesday (June 24), would create a federal tax deduction of up to $5,000 for eligible families who itemize deductions and pay out of pocket for extracurricular activities. The deduction would be limited to those who make between $100,000 to $200,000, depending on filing status.
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Figures said a trip back to his old high school inspired him to introduce the legislation after hearing firsthand about the high costs that come with students playing football or other sports.
“Saying that your kid can only play in something that’s as culturally significant in the South as organized sports, such as football, or basketball, that is contingent on your ability to be able to pay $500, 600, or 1,000 bucks, it’s something that a family shouldn’t have to struggle with,” the Figures told Alabama Daily News.
The tax deduction could include expenses such as program and registration fees, equipment, and training and instruction costs. It could also cover digital learning platforms and expenses associated with practices, competitions, rehearsals and performances. The bill would apply to all dependent children under the age of 19.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Alex Angle and originally published by the Alabama Daily News.
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